Survey and analysis on the use and disposal of plastic shopping bags before and after the introduction of charges

Abstract

AbstractJapan implemented mandatory charging for single-use plastic shopping bags in 2020. In this study, we verified the policy effect and its persistence by analyzing the changes in the number of plastic shopping bags taken and discarded by consumers before and after the charging came into effect. Online surveys were conducted in 2016, 2021, 2022, and 2023 for consumers residing in municipalities in Tokyo. The results showed that the number of plastic shopping bags taken decreased to approximately 30% after the charging was implemented, from 5.8 bags per person per week in 2016 to 1.7–1.9 in 2021–2023, and the number of bags discarded decreased from 6.2 to 3.0–3.4. The number of bags taken in 2021–2023 after the charging was implemented did not change significantly. Regarding the relationship with other waste policies, in municipalities that have introduced designated trash bags, the number of plastic shopping bags taken and discarded was fewer than in other municipalities even before the charging was introduced, by removing the option of reusing plastic bags as trash bags. This result indicates that, when introducing such policies, the relationship with existing waste policies must be analyzed to predict their effect.